The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman, Mr Ernest Norgbey, who doubles as the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) parliamentary candidate for the area, has expressed disappointment over the low voter turnout at some polling centres in the constituency.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after voting at the Celestial SHS polling station, he said he would visit homes of the electorates to encourage them to go out and vote.

Mr Norgbey urged constituents to take the election seriously, emphasising that it was not a local assembly election, but a general election aimed at bringing about change in governance.

As of 11:31 hours, out of 393 registered voters at the station, 157 had cast their ballots.

The incumbent MP seeking a third term, expressed the hope of achieving an 80 percent voter turnout before polls close at 17:00 hours.

“It is disappointing, but it motivates us to take action. We will go from house to house because we know where the voters are and ensure they come out to vote,” Mr. Norgbey stated.

He added that his confidence in his campaign was not driven by overconfidence but by his belief in the policies of the NDC, stating that “I don’t focus on opponents when contesting. My focus is on what I need to do to secure the votes.”

Addressing issues with the voting process, Mr Norgbey said challenges with the biometric verification devices (BVDs) had been ongoing, noting that some machines malfunctioned, while others were inadequate, leaving a shortfall that contributed to the delay in voting.

Police on manhunt for suspect who shot and injured a voter 

One person has allegedly been shot in the thigh by one Mujaheed Sujag, at Kasoa Zongo in the Awutu Senya East Constituency.

The incident occurred after a misunderstanding ensued among voters and the suspect allegedly fired a pump action gun twice, hitting his victim in the thigh.

The suspect was said have threatened some individuals in the area, stating that a gun had been acquired for him to use.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the suspect fired the shot in the presence of the police and absconded.

Meanwhile, the police have issued a statement, stating they were on the suspect’s heels and urged the public to volunteer information for his arrest.

National Election Security Taskforce set to ensure safe electoral process 

The National Elections Security Taskforce (NEST) has assured full preparedness and commitment to ensuring the safety and integrity of the 2024 General Election.

Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs emphasised the need for public cooperation with security agencies to maintain a peaceful electoral process.

The briefing was part of the Taskforce’s regular efforts to keep the public informed about security updates related to the 2024 General Election.

“We have kept faith with the public by providing regular updates on security developments across the country. All our officers have been deployed and are fully poised to ensure security throughout the electoral process,” she stated.

ACP Ansah-Akrofi noted that the Taskforce was actively monitoring activities across polling stations and would intervene promptly whenever necessary.

“So far, our officers on the ground have observed that some individuals attempt to access polling stations on motorbikes.

“We urge such persons to park at least 100 metres away from the polling centres. Personnel have been instructed to ensure compliance with this directive to prevent any congestion or disruptions near polling stations,” she said.

ACP Ansah-Akrofi urged the public to report any security concerns or share relevant information by contacting the police via the toll-free number 0800311311.

“We are ready to respond to situations as they arise, and we welcome the public’s collaboration in ensuring a smooth and peaceful electoral process,” she added.

ACP Ansah-Akrofi also cautioned against the dissemination of false or unverified information, stressing that spreading misinformation could undermine the peace and orderliness of the electoral process.

“To counter the spread of misinformation, we will continue to provide timely updates as new developments arise,” she assured.